Style at Sea for Giorgio Armani The Designer Sets Sail on his Sleekly Elegant Yacht

Photography by Scott Frances

As in his New York pied-à-terre (see Architectural Digest, April 2002), the fashion designer outfitted the yacht’s interiors with pieces from his Armani Casa collection, such as the upper deck’s sofas, curved side tables and bamboo-topped low table.

Photography by Scott Frances

The 150-foot Mariù sailing off the coast of Saint-Tropez. Armani, who chose complementary gray hues for the hull and the superstructure to cut down on glare, employed a Milanese architect, Giancarlo Ortelli, to execute the technical drawings for the boat.

Photography by Scott Frances

“On my own boat, I didn’t want displays of wealth, with a lot of lamps and paintings and carpeting,” says Armani. His signature Japanese-inspired aesthetic continues in the lower deck. Separating the teak planks on the floors are thin strips of ebony.

Photography by Scott Frances

Armani wanted versatility for both the rooms and the furnishings—the teak-clad lower deck also serves as a dining area, and the table collapses for movability. Titanium panels on the ceiling add height to the space. “I don’t think elegance should be boring,” he says.

Photography by Scott Frances

Photography by Scott Frances

The yacht, which first set sail this year and has been across the Mediterranean, docks in Saint-Tropez. Armani created the teak table and chairs on the dining terrace especially for the boat. The table is set with selections from the Armani Casa collection.